The European Union’s biometric Entry/Exit System is set to cause fresh travel chaos from Monday, as a temporary flexibility that allowed airports to pause fingerprint checks during peak times expires.
The system, which requires non-EU travellers to provide fingerprints and a facial photograph on arrival, was fully rolled out on April 10, 2026. It caused immediate disruption, with queues of up to four hours and hundreds of missed flights. Airports including Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam resorted to temporarily switching off the EES to manage the flow of passengers.
However, this “safety valve” is due to end on 6 September, with no formal announcement of an extension. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that removing this flexibility poses a “real risk of further congestion and operational disruption”.
Why the Chaos?
The EES is a digital border-control system that replaces manual passport stamping for non-EU nationals. It electronically records a traveller’s personal data, including biometric information. The registration requires more steps and time per passenger, leading to bottlenecks at border control, particularly during busy periods
The Flexibility: From April to September, EU member states were allowed to temporarily suspend biometric checks in “exceptional circumstances,” such as when queues became too long. Air France-KLM told Politico, “When lines form during the busy summer months, the system is shut off to ensure smooth transit at our hubs”.
The New Rules
From Monday, 7 September, this flexibility is expected to end, meaning there will be no leeway for travellers entering the EU. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has stated that the flexibility will not be renewed.
The move has sparked concern from airlines and airports. IATA is calling for the flexibility to be maintained until at least the end of the winter season, and until the system is operating reliably. easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis has called recent queues “completely unacceptable”. Lufthansa and Fraport have also called for the exemptions to be maintained, with Fraport reporting waiting times of up to 90 minutes at Frankfurt.
Impact on Travel
The return of full EES checks is expected to cause significant delays at major European airports, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, and Milan. Travelers are advised to arrive at airports earlier than usual and allow extra time for border checks.
The Bottom Line
The EU’s Entry/Exit System is set to cause fresh travel chaos from Monday, as a temporary flexibility that allowed airports to pause fingerprint checks expires. The system, which requires non-EU travellers to provide biometric data, has already led to long queues and missed flights. IATA and other industry bodies have warned that the removal of flexibility poses a risk of further congestion. Travelers are advised to expect delays and arrive early at airports.
